News on mobile phones is growing; Newspapers get second chance

I think it would be true to say that most newspapers -sorry, news providers- appreciate the need to modernize their medium. Mobile news is certainly the most efficient source of "on-the-go" news to replace/enhance paper. News providers really need to embrace rich media, along with quality editorial content and user input/customization.

The real movers and shakers have done this already utilizing mobile and iPhone apps (ie: BBC, CNN, NYTimes, USAToday, Globe&Mail, etc.) however, on a smaller "local" level, news providers need to create quality/media rich local content - while still providing a portal to national/international news.

Making your local site (be it .com,.ca or .mobi) the starting point for the users day - is key to providing news consumers with the full media content they crave, while also providing the options for display/content customization.

Social Media will never replace great Advertising/Marketing

I have just read an article explaining the 'push-back' on Social Media spending which was based on lower TV & Print advertising to capture the Social Media market. My first reaction is to point out that Social Media will never replace solid marketing/advertising campaigns. Rather develop a 'brand collaboration' that will create a tribe of brand advocates - based on a great product and ground-breaking marketing/advertising. Individuals may re-Tweet interesting links, video or articles - but don't expect them to go all AMWAY on you and start selling to friends and family - 'cause that isn't the point of Social Media.


.... or am I missing something?


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9 Things you are doing wrong with Social Media

If my 10 years broadcasting on air in the radio industry taught me anything, it was that as social creatures, human beings need to communicate. The lessons learned in radio transfer almost seamlessly to on-line Social Media - Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

To be social you need to communicate.
To communicate you need to listen to the other people.
To communicate effectively you have to be authentic & engaging.
To be authentic - you need to be yourself.
And to be engaging you should ‘include’ your audience – not exclude it.

... oh, and a little humour can help. A lot.

So really, social media is a conversation. Although - you’re typing/broadcasting your side of the conversation online.


9 Things you are doing wrong with Social Media

1 - "To all you twitter people out there..." Keep the conversation One-to-One. Always speak in the “first person”. People are normally reading tweets by themselves and conversely you are not presenting to a room full of people huddled around a computer monitor!

2 - "The Blog Trilogy" Keep it short – word economy. On Twitter you have only 140 characters; you don’t need to use them all! If you need more space write a log post ... not a novel.

3 - "One time - in Band Camp ..." Keep things interesting & keep your followers attention. There’s a reason they followed you – keep it coming. You have your audience – they want more!

4 - "No reply required" Keep answering the phones – well, on-line that converts to replying to tweets/direct messages. Also, be sure to thank Blog responses - even if you don't agree with their comments, this is a conversation after-all.

5 - "That's all I got" Keep giving stuff away – online, this can be information (article links), or even links to free pdf/mp3 downloads, etc.

6 - "You don't wanna know" Actually, we do. Keep it human – human nature is universal, if you are impressed/offended by something, chances are so is someone else.

7 - "Oops I messed up. I gotta go now" Keep on going. If you make a mistake or screw-up, just keep on going. It’s natural to make mistakes & your followers will recognize/forgive this.

8 - "My opinion on Irish politics ..." Keep it local – doesn’t always apply on-line, but if you can type with passion about a local event, that will certainly ad value to your social media impact.

9 - "OK, disregard that last post!" Keep being you. Don’t go changing - while your trending topics may change, unless you have a life changing experience, it doesn't make sense to pull a complete 180 on your own opinions.

Video Blogs ... Vblog.

All the kids seem to be doing them - so why can't I? In reality, video blogs are often a preferred blogging medium for small to large businesses, especially if you have a dynamic front man/woman. Hopefully I can pull it off - and I wanted to mess with my HD Camera - Canon EOS Rebel T1i (500D), so I was able to create a deepr creative YouTube channel. We'll see if I can find compelling subject matter - and if people can understand my Kiwadian accent.

Blaming 'the system' ....

When you are part or a large NGO or Non-Profit Organisation, and you are trusted with access to funds for use 'at your discretion' - a small part of your brain/consciousness/pyshe kicks-in. If you are an honorable, honest type of person you normally defer the using this 'public' money for it's pre-determined use. If you have any doubts as to whether your spending is subject to any error, you would normally seek some form of clarification from superiors or peers.

If, however your peers have an unspoken (or even spoken) agreement that, as there is no recourse for any actions you make in utilizing this funding for any means necessary, you are welcome to spend this money for our own uses, often submit the same expense more than once, or disregard any guidelines provided ... well, the group mentality prevails.

Under this 'premise' you can use the funds for items/services you see fit. Now, with the common understanding that "everyone else is doing - so why shouldn't I" you become comfortable living the lie that what you are doing is okay. And by "doing" - I mean embezzling public money. Or theft as a public servant. Which in most organizations results in instant dismissal and even legal action.

But, wait a minute. Once your spending is audited/investigated (or if it makes you feel better we can call it "reviewed") and you and MANY others are blatantly caught stealing/lying - you can easily cry that it was all just a silly misunderstanding. The guidelines were "confusing". You didn't realise it was inappropriate, and immediately offer to refund the money that was spent "out of your own pocket".

Bravo.

Now, we've cleared that up let's move on to the bigger issues, like supporting a Bake Sale for Haiti.

You would think and MLA (member of the legislative assembly) the body of people elected in each province and territory to make and pass laws - would have a firm understanding of right and wrong.

I feel VERY STRONGLY these MLAs should be charged as petty criminals - stealing public money to furnish (sometimes literally) their own lifestyles - at the expense of the people that are expected to represent.
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It's pretty simple really - it's the LEGAL SYSTEM after all - and people elected in our community to make and pass laws should know - and fully expect - to be held accountable for their actions, then face the consequences of the Canadian legal system!

Even the Chronicle Herald Editorial on the subject (The Chronicle Herald) gets resounding approval from local Nova Scotian readers.

Shame on you all: Deputy Premier Frank Corbett, Agriculture Minister John MacDonell, Yarmouth MLA Richard Hurlburt, Former Tory MLA Judy Streatch, Speaker Charlie Parker, Rodney MacDonald and Liberal MLA Wayne Gaudet.

.... MLAs MUST PAY!




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Podcamp Halifax (#podcamphfx) KeyNote

I recently attended/presented at the 2nd annual PodCamp Halifax ... well, it was yesterday. Great chance to re-connect, meet new local people with shared interests, absorb some great knowledge/opinions, or just geek-out!

The Keynote by McLean Greaves @mcleangreaves (http://nsb.com/speakers/view/mclean-mashingaidze-greaves) in the Alderney Landing Theatre was certainly enjoyable and enthusiastic, however, it was a shame to see several 'podcampers' chose to leave early, just to secure a lunch seat. Regardless - McClean has extensive experience with digital, broadcast and print media and provided a well-rounded review of current shifts and made several predictions.

The prediction the created the most murmurs (although it has been circulating on-line for the past week) was the eagerly anticipated unveiling of the Apple tablet (possibly named the "iPad" or "iSlate") possibly on Wednesday this week.

As Mclean noted, people were previously very excited by the creation/release of the iPhone, as this integrated 2 necessary business tools, and allowed them to drop one piece of hardware (ie: Mobile Phone & PDA). Now, with the release of the "iPad" Apple appears to be filling a new market fueled by the success of the Amazon Kindle and other eReaders.

But wait a minute - isn't this new larger screen iPod just creating yet ANOTHER piece of hardware to lug around?

It's like a Mac Air meets iPod Touch ... I know it will be a very cool piece of hardware (it is Apple after-all) but is it really necessary? Even the iPhone provides several ebook reader options - all for free. (eg: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/08/using-the-iphon/ )

So for the advantage of a wider screen I would expect Apple is going to have to include some sort of "iPhone Killer" app - or is it obviously that much better than the current Apple products that am I missing something?

With the addition of WIFI could you use the "iPad" to make Skype calls (via a headset) and put your iPhone into retirement?



Please let me know what key piece of information I am missing.

The Gift of giving …

When is being “seen” to donate better than an anonymous donation? Are you a better or worse supporter if you don’t broadcast – or at least share your recent sharing? Do you “wear the ribbon”? If so, how long?

Is the reason that you chose to donate even matter - as long as you donate? Do you even need to have strong sociopolitical views to justify giving time/money/resources to a cause?

If you don’t constantly remind people that you have given to a current cause/reputable charity, will you find yourself subjected to public/on-line ridicule?

Wait – doesn’t this contravene your own privacy settings?